Programmed Learning in English

Programmed Learning in EnglishThe most common problem I see with almost all students I work with, is that they are not getting enough programmed learning in English. Most of them are not being taught by native English speakers. To really have fun with the subject and to really learn, you need to have some natural learning by native speakers.If you can get your students to do some programmed learning in English, then you can get a better chance at teaching them to read well. Since so many people in this country do not read, and if they don't read at all, how can you expect to teach them?To really learn anything in English, you need to have good reading skills. So, if you cannot read, how can you expect to teach students how to read? The reason for this is the way in which our education system trains us.Reading is one of the first things we are taught in school. This is where we learn to use our vocabulary, read the words and phrases we hear and use them to help us form new words and p hrases. Learning reading is a very important skill, so it is essential that we get more practice in that area.One way to teach students how to read better is to give them some English reading practice. Since so many students do not read at all, they don't really know what reading looks like, but if you can point out how to do it, they will know.Sometimes, a student is unable to attend classes because they are in a wheelchair or some other disability. It makes it difficult for them to attend a full-length class. But, you can get your students to participate in some short reading courses, that allow them to participate in the class and learn.The good news is that if they cannot attend the class, they can take notes while you are talking. What happens when the notes are added up will help them understand what you are saying. A program that provides that experience will really help them in their English classes.Learning English is not easy. However, it is a great skill to have. Why not give your students some ideas on how to increase their reading skills, so they can improve their reading comprehension.

Rhono Interspace Tutoring

Rhono Interspace TutoringWhen it comes to choosing the right next step for your child, there are several options that are available, which include the Rhono Interspace Tutoring System. The Interspace program is designed to help children gain an understanding of reading and spelling by being at a piano-based age. However, the Rhono Interspace system is designed specifically to reach out to those students who have learning disabilities. Many parents of students with learning disabilities have already used this system and had great success in teaching their children.Parents who are concerned about their child's ability to read have some choice when it comes to the Rhono Interspace system. Some schools may only offer this technology program to students who are attending these specific schools. Others have programs that are meant for children who have been reading for many years.Since the curriculum for Rhono Interspace tutoring begins at a young age, many parents feel that they can be mo re involved in the process and tailor the program to meet their child's needs. However, this program does not require the child to have any prior experience reading. Instead, it is meant to teach the child how to take in the material needed to be able to do well on his or her test papers, while using a different approach than what they were being taught at home.Most schools use the music at the beginning of the lessons as a way to bond students together before the actual curriculum. This gives parents and teachers the opportunity to talk about the material, which will help students identify things they have learned. It is also used to ensure that the students can identify various reading methods, without needing to have any prior experience.The program itself is extremely popular, and parents who are interested in using this service for their children have a number of options. These include the FIVE personal training sessions per week, five sessions a month, and the five interactive sessions a week. The way these sessions work is that the teacher will contact parents about the program, and they will get access to the five interactive sessions for free. Those who cannot attend the sessions may send the information to the teacher who will offer them the option of watching the online materials or listening to the audio CDs.The system allows parents to use the programs in the privacy of their home, with the teacher handling all the testing and homework assignments. Many parents have found that they can complete the tasks with no problems, so long as they practice what they have learned from the lessons. When children are used to having control over a program like this, they tend to learn much faster and more efficiently.Many people who have used the Rhono Interspace Tutoring System have found that the results speak for themselves. They have noticed a big difference in their child's progress when they have used the system, and their children have also talked about their abilities to do well on the tests they took. All in all, parents have found that this program provides a platform that makes it possible for students to learn at their own pace and to excel at whatever subject they choose.

How to Be a Good Algebra Tutor

How to Be a Good Algebra TutorThere are many misconceptions regarding how to be a good tutor. Many teachers don't seem to understand that your job is to be a support to the students. You cannot, therefore, expect to turn a student into a master at everything.Students' growth comes from working on their own as well as with you. If you act as a helper, they will become impatient and take your place. Therefore, it is important that you complement your own teaching with the homework problems given to you by the students. Some of the most important aspects of being a good tutor are:-To be a good teacher, you must know all the students. All the students you are supposed to help should also be ready to give their answers to any questions you have about their classwork. You need to be flexible and be able to adjust to any situation that may arise.-College students have different levels of learning ability. You need to be able to be flexible enough to teach them at different levels of learnin g.-Tutors need to always be alert. A tutor needs to be in the field during the times when there are problems in the lessons. In this way, he or she can do the necessary homework assistance to solve the problem and allow the students to continue with their studies. However, the tutors must not act as the problem solver, but rather, as a support to the students.-Even if you were an algebra teacher for years, even if you mastered many subjects, you would still need to re-learn some subjects every now and then. Math is no exception. All the math you are ever going to learn will come from the tips and notes given by the students.The main factor that can be taken care of how to be a good math tutor is to understand the students' preferences. You will need to be flexible enough to teach them at the different levels of learning.

How to Prepare For Diff. Equations

How to Prepare For Diff. EquationsIf you have recently been assigned to go to a chemistry class, you may be feeling nervous about what is going to be in the lecture. While it may be tempting to just dive right in, there are a few things you can do in advance to make sure you don't get tripped up by your differential equations. The organic chemistry tutor is one of the most important people in your life, so make sure you spend as much time with them as possible.One of the best ways to prepare for differential equations is to go through a textbook with a guide. They will give you all the equations, and the rest of the textbook will take care of the details. You should also study up on differential equations by studying the proofs in your college. It is always a good idea to get some extra help from someone you trust.Once you know what it is you're getting into, then the hardest part of your chemistry class should be taking chemical equations. Just make sure you've got all the paperwork ready before you go to lecture.Try reading a physical chemistry textbook or a real science textbook to get familiar with the equations before you go to lecture. This will allow you to understand what you are being asked to do in advance.It may be helpful to make notes of all the equations you encounter during differential equations. Some people like to use their laptop or notebook to make note of these equations. This allows you to remember more at a glance and avoids you straining to remember things you shouldn't be looking at.Another important thing to remember is to get plenty of rest. Although you should feel energetic and alert when you go to lecture, you shouldn't let the lecture stress your system enough to the point where you get physically sick. You need to be well rested to avoid losing focus and forgetting your lessons.If you keep these things in mind, you'll be able to handle your organic chemistry tutor better than if you did not do anything to prepare yourself. With a ny luck, you'll have an easier time with your class next time around.

Preparing to Study in Spain

Preparing to Study in Spain The Guide to Becoming a Student in Spain ChaptersThe Language Level Required for Becoming a Student in SpainWhat Is the Standard of Living Like in Spain?Adapting to Spanish FoodEverything Happens Later in SpainLiving in Spain: FootballAccommodation in SpainThe Weather in SpainHow Much Do Spanish Universities Cost?Getting Your Spanish Degree Recognised“I have the most evil memories of Spain, but I have very few bad memories of Spaniards.” - George OrwellThe Spanish are famous for being warm and welcoming. They’ll greet you with a couple kisses on the cheek, something that can feel weird for Britons.There are tonnes of British people living in Spain, too.  Even though Spain isn’t that far away, it’s quite different from the UK in terms of culture and going there is a great cross-cultural experience, even if just for a summer abroad.Whether you're an undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral candidate, or international student, here's how you can study abroad in Spain, improve your language skills, and get used to life o n Spanish campuses.If you're still asking yourself “why study abroad?”, this article should help you get ready! TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Language Level Required for Becoming a Student in SpainIn Spain, they speak Spanish. This means you’ll need to work hard in your Spanish lessons or maybe even consider doing intensive Spanish courses before you go. Since language and culture are closely related, you may w ant to go abroad to learn more about Spain, too.Watching films in Spanish is a great way to learn the language. (Source: igorovsyannykov)Language study is one of the main reasons students decide to study abroad. The lessons at university in Spain will be in Spanish and you’ll need to be able to follow along just like any Spanish student.You’ll need at least an A2 or B1 to get you started as you’ll soon start learning quickly once you’re immersed in the culture. It might be worthwhile spending some time with a host family in Spain over the summer to help you brush up.Of course, if you attend an international university, you'll find that you can get lessons in English. However, this mightn't help you improve your language skills.There’s the Instituto Cervantes in London, Manchester, and Leeds that could help.  This will help you from the second you arrive in your new university. There’s already plenty of things that could stress you out so make sure the language isn’t on e of them.A language test may be required for certain universities. It’s a good idea to be prepared. Of course, if you go to Barcelona, for example, Catalan is spoken. In some universities, both languages are official.What Is the Standard of Living Like in Spain?The average salary in Spain is €1,718 whereas in the UK €2,102.That said, the gap between the highest and lowest salaries tends to be bigger.  Unsurprisingly, Madrid has some of the highest salaries alongside País Vasco and Navarre.If you want to prepare for your time abroad, you should go with a similar budget to that of a student in the UK.Of course, you can always to a paid internship or get scholarships for your language courses or international education. You can get a lot more out of your year abroad if you can focus on your studies. That said, if you do have to work, employers do love a candidate with multicultural and international experience, even if it was just one semester abroad.In addition to the Erasmus grant, there are also study abroad scholarships to help you with paying for your education abroad.In Spain, you don’t need to be that formal with your teachers at university and you can probably call them by their first name. You might be surprised at just how relaxed everything is. No need to use “sir” or “miss” or the formalities that most British people use when speaking.  You can speak to your fellow students in a similar way to your teachers.Of course, there is a cultural difference across the country, too. Generally, you can be more informal in the south of Spain than in the north. Life in Seville and Granada is generally more relaxed than the bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona, for one.Adapting to Spanish FoodStudying in Spain is a great way to get to know the food. Get ready for paella and tapas!  Spanish food is based on a Mediterranean diet and you’ll find a lot of olive oil, garlic, herbs, spices, fish, and seafood.Spain is home to plenty of great food. ( Source: Eisenmenger)Like in the UK, each region has its own specialities and you can enjoy food such as:TapasPaellaCocidoGazpachoChorizoTortilla (Spanish omelette)Cochinillo asado (roast pork)ChurrosNatillasLeche fritaSpanish food is quite fatty since a lot of things are cooked in olive oil. That said, they don’t use butter in cooking as much as we do.Everything Happens Later in SpainDinner in Spain takes place a few hours later than it does in the UK. Lunch is around 2 in the afternoon and dinner is around 9 or 10. Of course, your timetable at university will have this in mind, too. Lessons start around 9 in the morning and your lunch break can end as late as 4 in the afternoon.Some shops also shut during the afternoon. You can still get stuff as late as 10 in the evening. Of course, between 2 and 5, you might be shocked to see so many shops closed.Also, be wary of the word “mañana” in Spain. It means both “morning” and “tomorrow” and seems to be interchangeable with “later”, “next week”, or just “never”.Can’t find something in a shop?It might be there “mañana”...  People in Spain aren’t as bothered about timekeeping as we are in the UK and timetables and schedules can sometimes seem arbitrary.It seems that bullfighting is the only thing that’ll start on time. Of course, we’re exaggerating, but you do need to get used to not expecting things to take place at the exact time they say. It can be tricky at first, but soon you’ll find it much more relaxing. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLiving in Spain: FootballYou’ll soon see just how much Spaniards like to laugh and have fun, but not when it comes to football as that’s serious business.  Football is a religion in Spain and a lot of the country follows either Real Madrid or Barcelona. Weekends are dominated by sport.It’s a great way to get involved in local life.Accommodation in SpainStudying abroad is an opportunity to live a real student lifestyle.  You can expect to pay between €200 and €400 per month for a room.  You can also get accommodation at university for around €300 per month with both food and board included.  Of course, these costs will vary depending on what type of accommodation you get and where it is in the city. However, you’ll probably have more money for going out than you would in the UK.The Weather in SpainStudying in Spain is a great opportunity to en joy some good weather. Most of Spain has a Mediterranean climate. This means it’s warm and dry between May and October and there’s little rain.The weather is one of the reasons why Spain is so popular for students. (Source: cocoparisienne)Of course, Spain’s a big country and in the south, it’s much hotter and the air’s harder to breathe.  Cities near mountains can suffer from a lot of cold wind in the winter. That said, whether you’re in Madrid, Barcelona, Murcia, or Valencia, when it rains in Spain, it rains!How Much Do Spanish Universities Cost?Tuition fees in Spain are different in each region but in general, they’re all quite similar. You won’t pay exactly the same in Valladolid as you would in Salamanca.A degree can cost around €900 per academic year while a master’s degree can cost €1,500 in a public university.Private universities can charge as much as they like and you can pay between €8,000 and €20,000 for a master’s degree. Academia in Spain is quite similar to the system in the UK and the cost is quite comparable to a lot of other places in the world.You can get a grant or bursary as part of an exchange programme. For example, the Erasmus grant could help you.  You can also get a job in a bar or restaurant to help make ends meet. You won’t need a work visa, either.Getting Your Spanish Degree RecognisedYou can get a degree in almost any subject in Spain.No matter where you live or study, you'll need to adapt to the local culture. (Source: 12019)You can study in both the UK and Spain as part of a degree course.  Thanks to the bachelor's master's doctorate system, your degree will be valid and recognised.When it comes to master’s degrees or PhDs, you’ll need to enrol directly with the Spanish university. You’ll need a certain number of ECTS credits in order to get onto a master’s degree for example.So are you ready to start preparing to study in Spain?If you need more information about enrollment, when the deadline is, or life as an exchange student, consider getting in touch with the study abroad office at your university in the UK. You'll be able to speak to an advisor and learn more about education abroad. Otherwise, contact the alumni of your course who've done the same. It doesn't matter whether you're studying economics, humanities, foreign languages, science, or the arts, everyone can benefit from international study!Whether you do a gap year or a whole year abroad, you won't need a student visa, either!Ready for your departure?

History of the Violin Its Birth and Evolution.

History of the Violin Its Birth and Evolution. From 1520 to Today: The History of the Violin ChaptersThe Origins of the ViolinThe Prestigious Rise of the Violin in ItalyThe History of Violin: The Best Composers of the 17th CenturyThe Violin During The 18th CenturyThe Modern History of the ViolinHaydn, Schubert, Berlioz, Menuhin, Schumann, Glissando, the list of great violinists goes on and on.Back then, there was no such thing as online cello tutorials or online violin lessons and only a few people could learn to play the violin.  These artists certainly helped bring the violin and its music to everyone. From its inception in the 16th century to the electric version available nowadays, the violin has an interesting history.Whether baroque music or classic music, an acoustic violin or an electric one, the family of string instruments has changed drastically over time.Originating in the Arab world, it became famous thanks to Italian luthiers during the Renaissance who changed it; then it was changed again in the 19th century in the form of an electric version.From classical mu sic to contemporary music, over the course of this article, we’ll be looking at the history of the violin family, the musical instruments of the same name, the best violin makers and what every music lover and budding virtuoso should know about it. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Origins of the ViolinThe violin’s birth still remains shrouded in mystery. It would take several centuries before it would start looking like the violin as we k now it today.  Something you should know before you start taking your violin lessons.The violin has a big family. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)Stringed instruments or anything resembling a violin bow wouldn’t appear until the 10th century.  Before that, these types of musical instruments, like the lyre, were played by plucking the strings. Bowed string instruments appeared later in the Chinese Empire, Byzantine Empire, and the Arab-Muslim world.These instruments were played with a bow made from horsehair.  The rebab is often considered one of the violin’s oldest ancestors.  It was the first bowed string instrument in the Arab-Muslim world and would arrive in Europe through Spain. It would later be called the “Vihuela” in Spain and the “Viola” in Italian.Then a new evolution came along, the viol: The viola da gamba and viola da braccio which were used before the violin existed. The viol was a modified chordophone whose performer would use bowing to vibrate the strings and c reate the sound. Lyres, which are similar to early violins, were only ever plucked, though the left hand manipulated the strings on the neck to change notes.The first mention of the violin came in 1520. The Italian term “violino” means little viol.  We often see this in Italian spec sheets for the instruments, which were a different size to today. These instruments were built in Brescia, Venice, Antwerp and Brussels.The final version of the instrument was made by the Andrea Amati’s lutherie workshop in Cremona. The look and the sound of the instrument wouldn't change for another century. It would take a while before there'd be concert music for violins and they'd become part of many orchestra, quartet, symphony, and ensemble pieces.Discover the available violin lessons online here.The Prestigious Rise of the Violin in ItalyThe first real violin dates back to 1564.  Catherine de' Medici ordered one for her son Charles IX, King of France. The instrument then became a part of the royal court where it has remained ever since.  This helped the Amati workshop become famous. Their children and grandchildren continued the family business and would be luthiers.The quality of violins crafted in the town helped make Cremona the home of the violin. In fact, Cremona was the home to the workshop of the famous Guarneri family (Andrea, Giovanni, Giuseppe, Pietro, and Bartolomeo most famously) of instrument makers. Subsequently, Italy became home to many luthiers during this time and is still the home of the violin.Aspiring luthiers still travel there to learn the techniques which have been used by Italian workshops for centuries. These handmade violins are, unsurprisingly, of the highest quality.A luthier chooses their wood (often spruce, ebony, maple, boxwood, willow, and rosewood) depending on its tonal quality, then sculpts it using traditional tools as the first luthiers would have when making violins in the 16th century.Cremona is the historic home of the violin. ( Source: Wikimedia Commons)At the time, king Henry of France was one of the first to establish a programme for learning to make violins, a profession the king acknowledged. The training lasted 6 years and was provided by a guild master.Before this training existed, musicians had to build their own instrument themselves. TomViolin Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StacyViolin Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtieViolin Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BenedictViolin Teacher 5.00 (8) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TaisiiaViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmyViolin Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuísViolin Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoViolin Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe History of Violin: The Best Composers of the 17th CenturyIt would take another century after the royal order for Antonio Stradivari to change the violin’s appearance.The manufacturing methods are still a secret. Out of over a thousand instruments made by the Italian, there are still around 650 in good condition because of the high levels of craftsmanship.  The Stradivarius violins remain a veritable legend in the world of music. In fact, these are considered to be the finest sounding instruments of all time.In the 17th century, the violin became an essential instrument in many orchestras since composers like Monteverdi and Lully were using them in their compositions. Monteverdi was himself a violin player and was the first to use the violin in his compositions. The musician regularly collaborated with Andrea Amati’s children Antonio and Girolamo as well as his grandson Nicolo. The first two were luthiers for Henry IV of France’s orchestra.The arrival of the sonata would make the violin an essential part of composition in the 17th century. Lully became the royal violi nist.Not only did the composer create musical versions of Molière’s work for Louis the 14th but he also enthusiastically performed them including George Dandin ou Le Malade Imaginaire, in particular.The two artists basically invented a new genre in doing so.Lully is one of the greatest violinists of all time. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)The violin became an essential instrument for musical composition during this time. It would continue to evolve during the following century.The Violin During The 18th CenturyViolin techniques continued to develop during the 18th century, too.  Musicians like Vivaldi, Locatelli, and Tartini kept pushing the envelope. Mozart wrote many sonatas for violin during this time.During this period, the violin was already established as part of the orchestra. A lot of important conductors were violinists themselves.  The city of Paris became the meeting place for Europe’s greatest violinists. Mozart spent a lot of time composing there.Vivaldi also composed his famous violin concerti in France’s capital. His most famous concerti, Le Quattro Stagioni, composed in 1723 represent each of the main parts in a year. These tunes are some of the most famous pieces of classical music in the world.The violin continued to establish itself as a serious instrument during the 18th century.  During this century, the violin’s shape and manufacturing methods changed. In fact, the increased usage of the instrument led to more and more composers and musicians looking for better violin. To meet their growing needs, luthiers lengthened the neck, bass bar, and the diameter of the sound post.Thus, the luthiers of the time took the designs of the violins made by Amati and Stradivarius and modified them. The violin has remained relatively unchanged since then.The Modern History of the ViolinWhile modern music doesn’t tend use older instruments like the violin, the violin is still an instrument people are learning to play nowadays.However, it does have t he image as an instrument of the upper classes rather than the working classes (except in the case of folk music). The cost and the years of practice required have turned many aspiring musicians away.If you've attended a wedding, you've probably heard Pachelbel's Canon. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)However, we’ve all heard Canon played millions of time. Thanks to cover versions of the piece on YouTube, it’s become popular again. In fact, there are even covers of the piece on the electric violin.Furthermore, the new ways of buying things have changed things up. Rather than calling a luthier to build you a violin, you can now get an acoustic or electric violin for a reasonable price from online stores.Aesthetically speaking, the violin hasn’t really changed since the end of the 18th century. The birth of the electric violin is the first major change in a while.An instrument that was once used for royal courts can now be used in rock, pop, or folk music. The electric violin comes i n a whole variety of shapes, some more outrageous than others since they don't need to be carved and can do away with traditional manufacturing techniques. Some do away with the sound box and the wood commonly used in making violins and look very unlike the violins of old.What better way to make the violin appealing again?There are famous modern groups using the violin. In fact, some of these groups are combining traditional music education (often from reputable conservatoires) with modern sensibilities when they play instruments like the cello or violin.If you’re a beginner, you should check out our violin playlist.

What is it Like to Attend Western Washington University

What is it Like to Attend Western Washington University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brianna received her bachelors degree in Spanish from Western Washington University. She is currently a tutor in Portland specializing in Spanish. See what she had to say about her experience at Western Washington University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Brianna: Campus is very close to everything you need, including the downtown, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. There is a great bus system that runs through campus, downtown, and surrounding areas. I never needed a car while living at college; and in fact, biking is often more convenient and fun than a bus or car! VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brianna:The majority of my professors and advisers werevery helpful and committed to their students education, providing extra office hours when needed and good communication. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brianna:Personally, I was not a fan of the dorms; however, many students I talk to have loved living in them! It is a great way to meet people because there are a variety of activities weekly that cater to the interests of a diverse group of students. The dining options are alright, but not fantastic. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Brianna:The Sciences, Education, and Business programs are some of the best-represented programs. I studied Spanish, and I did feel very supported by the teachers and staff. It is a small major, so you get to know everyone in your classes fairly quickly, which makes making connections with professors and other students easy. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Brianna:I made friends primarily by participating in collegiate track. Getting involved in clubs and intramural sports is a great way for freshmen to make friends. Because of students votes, we do not have a Greek life at our school. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Brianna:The Career Center is helpful for many students; however, I did not take advantage of it, and therefore I am unfamiliar with the companies who recruit. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Brianna:There are a variety of study areas at Western Washington University. There is an ideal study spot for anyone, whether it be spacious or small and cozy. The library only gets very crowded during mid-terms and finals week. There are also many other cafes and markets on campus that are great for studying (if you dont mind a little noisier environment). VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Brianna:One of my favorite things about Western Washington University is the amazing wilderness that surrounds the campus. It is an ideal place for campers, hikers, mountain bikers, sailors, kayakers, and everyone and anyone in between! I can walk outside my apartment and onto a trail that runs through the forest and leads to a lake. If you are not a big fan of the outdoors, the downtown is also a great place to be. It is only a mile from campus and so it is very easy to grab a bite to eat during a busy day at one of the many restaurants. Students are everywhere at Western Washington University. Lots of students enjoy going to the boardwalk on the bay which connects to downtown by a beautiful, lush trail. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brianna:The student body was a perfect size for me. There are 15,000 students that attend Western Washington University; however, it feels like much fewer. The campus itself is fairly small, so you see people you know everywhere! The class sizes were ideal for me. In my upper-division classes there were on average 20-30 students. Of course the lower-division lecture classes usually had more like 60-150 students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brianna:One memorable experience was in my Developmental Psychology class. My professor showed a video of an elderly choir group who sings for underrepresented populations all over the world. They sang for a group of inmates at a jail immediately after one of the choir members had passed away. It was very inspiring and emotional to see the way the choir inspired the inmates, many of whom were crying and hugging the elderly folks after the performance. I found myself as well as other students tearing up. it was a very moving experience to see two extremely different populations who would normally not interact connect in such a positive and meaningful way. Check out Briannas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.